As with all but one event at Henley, Saturday saw oly two races in the Fawley Challenge Cup, to determine the finalists for tomorrow. Both of todays races yielded the results that were expected, in what were two races showcasing the standard of top end schoolboy sculling.
The first semi final saw Henley RC ‘A’ take on Claires Court School. This was a tussle between the National Schools’ winners and the bronze medallists in the same event. This race saw Henley take the initiative early in the race, a lead they would never relinquish, despite constant pressure from Claires Court, particularly coming down the enclosures to win by 3/4 of a length.
The second semi, saw an all Leander Club affair, a testament to the strength of James Loveday’s programme at Leander. The race itself was somewhat of a procession, with the A crew taking out a comfortable win, to set up a match with Henley on Finals Day
What of the final? The word on the street seems to favour Henley, who have certainly looked strong during their progression though the regatta. The same can be said for Leander, but what is particularly interesting, is that neither crew has been severely pushed the whole way down the track. What is for certain is that National Schools was a straight head to head at the front of the field, in which Henley took the win. Two things are for certain, this will be a superb race, and secondly, the Fawley Cup is heading upstream from the finish, the question is; how far?
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